Dark
Light

Suggestions

A Short Story Wriiten By Wole Soyinka When He Was 19

January 13, 2024
3 mins read

KEFFI’S BIRTHDAY TREAT
 
By Wole Soyinka
 
Christmas Day/Kwanzaa, 2008.
 
“I’ll be ten tomorrow,” said Keffi to himself as he lay in bed, starring at the ceiling of his home in Yaba. Yes, Keffi would indeed become a ten-year-old boy the following day. He had received some presents already, he was sure he would receive some more the next day, and finally, there was going to be a birthday party for him at seven o’clock in the evening. But, of all the presents he had received, there was not one which attracted him more than the book which had been sent to him by his big brother in England. And of the treats which he had promised, the most exciting thing was the one which he had promised himself. The book contained beautifully coloured pictures of the animals in the University College Zoo.
 
As far as Keffi was concerned, Ibadan was merely a street in Lagos! So, after breakfast the following day, he went to the nearest bus stop, taking with him his week’s pocket money, leaving a note on his mother’s bed telling her where he was going, and promising to be back  before the party. Keffi had no idea that Ibadan was a huge town and was over a hundred miles from Lagos; he had read of the University College Zoo in the Children’s Newspaper, and had determined that some day, he would go and see it for himself.
 
Luck seemed to be with Keffi: for, as he stood waiting for the bus, he saw a kit-car pull up outside a petrol station, and –was he dreaming? – on its doors was written, ”UNIVERSITY  COLLEGE, IBADAN.” Keffi at once ran towards the driver, begging him for a lift. But when he got to the car, he saw the driver’s back was turned, and – his heart began to beat very fast – the door at the back was open! How very exciting to climb in, remain very quiet, and surprise the driver by coming out of the car when they got to the college! And this was just what Keffi did. He lay flat on the floor of the car, and waited for the driver to start it. Very soon, he heard the driver’s voice. There was also another man, and they seemed to be coming to the back of the car, carrying something rather heavy! Keffi dared not look up, for fear he would be caught. He heard the driver say,
 
“Just lift it up and throw it inside.”
 
What would they throw inside? Was it a box, and would they throw it right on him? Suppose it was a very heavy object and it was thrown on him; would it break his bones? Or was it a new animal for the zoo? Suppose it was a tiger, fresh from the jungle. Poor Keffi’s knees were knocking and he began to be sorry that he ever started on this adventure. Should he scream? But before he could make up his mind, the two men threw the object into the car. It was a motor car wheel, and luckily, only a little part of it caught Keffi on the back. The driver did not even look inside the car, but shut the door, went to his seat and drove off.
 
Half an hour later, the car pulled up inside a place which looked like a big plantation. Keffi watched the driver get out of the car and after a while, he too crept out. He saw cows grazing in the fields, and a lot of fowls in the special little houses which has been made for them. This amused him a great deal, for the houses even had steps leading from them to the ground! And then Keffi grew very much interested in some vehicles called tractors. These had large iron spades, large iron wheels, large iron teeth and claws, all of which were used in uprooting the ground and felling trees. But he had not yet seen any wild animals, and it was while looking for them that a lind-looking official saw him, enquired where he lived and what he wanted. When Keffi told him, he bursts out laughing. After laughing very heartily for a long time, he told Keffi,
 
“You are a little unfortunate, my boy. The lions and leopards and gorillas have all been taken away on a holiday. They will return after a week. Will you come back then?” Keffi promised to return after a week, and thereupon the kind gentleman took him home and put him right on his doorstep.
 
He had spent only two hours away, and when, feeling sure he had been to the University College Zoo, he told his mother his adventures, he was surprised to see her burst out laughing. When he asked why she laughed, she replied,
 
“You were lucky that the driver did not go straight to Ibadan. That was not the University College Zoo, it was Agege Agricultural Station!”
“Next time,” Keffi promised himself, “I really shall go to the Zoo.”
 
Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian  academic, writer, social critic and a Nobel Laureate for Literature.
 
Courtesy The Nigerian Radio Times of July 1954.
 
Image: Children at University of Ibadan Zoo (2007) by http://www.kakanfoinn.com
 
Please email comments to comments@thenewblackmagazine.com
 

  Send to a friend  |  

View/Hide Comments (0)   |  

  Print

Post Views: 1,057

546 Comments

  26. информация про сатурн на английском как узнать в каком
    доме у меня солнце сон сожгли
    машину, к чему снится, что горит машина чужая защита
    в таро, карты таро магическое
    сочетание необычные имена
    для девочке 2023, имена для девочке 2024

    Reply

  43. под действием каких сил движутся литосферные плиты, литосферные плиты на контурной карте венера
    история открытия к чему снится встреча с бывшим человеком черная луна в водолее к чему снится что девушка изменила с лучшим другом

    Reply

  204. The r WallStreetBets Reddit forum, which has long banned cryptocurrency discussion, briefly lifted the ban this week on bitcoin, ether and Dogecoin with a daily discussion thread. But on Thursday, the ban was reinstated. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. In terms of Dogecoin trading, the platform offers average spreads of 0.0013, making it exclusively suitable for trading with this particular asset class. Customers can take advantage of the high volatility typical for the crypto trading market. Educational resources for trading cryptocurrency CFDs are available, along with tips for market analysis. Dogecoin. “The History of Dogecoin.” If you need more information about Dogecoin, or need to download a wallet you can do so at the official Dogecoin website.
    http://www.rfmaster.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=35999
    Cryptocurrency exchanges are the backbone of the cryptocurrency industry. That is why, spot trades are executed mainly on cryptocurrency exchanges. Moreover, cryptocurrency exchanges also allow for generating passive income through staking assets. The cryptocurrency industry has seen a significant rise in the popularity of various crypto derivatives products like perpetual futures, options, futures markets, and contracts. In fact, in 2024, monthly futures trading volumes on centralized exchanges hasn’t declined below the $1 trillion mark, often exceeding the total crypto spot trading volume. OKX also offers two types of futures contracts: crypto and USDT margin. This future trading platform provides a maximum leverage of 125X for futures trading, a maintenance margin system to prevent liquidation, and a user-friendly interface that allows investors to trade digital assets efficiently.

    Reply

  207. The Borgata Sportsbook is as extensive as the online casino. Available to sports bettors in New Jersey only, Borgata Sports features an interface nearly identical to BetMGM, a sportsbook more familiar to the casual bettor. Borgata Casino first opened in July of 2003. It’s a combined hotel, spa, and casino based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Borgata was also the first casino in New Jersey to take its operation online. If you’re a new player looking to join Borgata Online Casino in New Jersey, we have an exciting promo code for you. By using the promo code “ATS20” you’ll be eligible for a $20 free bonus and a $1,000 deposit match. This generous offer gives you a great head start on your online gaming journey. New customers can sign up with Borgata PA online to claim a sign-up bonus and start enjoying online gambling with slots and table games. Stay tuned to this page as more US states potentially legalize online casinos, opening new possible markets for the Borgata online casino.
    https://messiahtnhz360358.spintheblog.com/29001658/manual-article-review-is-required-for-this-article
    Pick the very best game development solutions and game development company for your mixed reality games. Embrace a gaming app evolution with vibrant and accessible features and achieve a top-notch position through a powerful multi-paradigm, programming language. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We treat every client like they’re our only client. Riseup Labs is a world-recognized brand for Mobile Game Application Development and trusted by globally recognized businesses. According to the client’s feedback, they have A to Z knowledge and experience in Mobile Game App Development. So, you can get every type of Mobile Game App Development supreme level of help from them. The mobile game development process comes from the pure idea of a game, no matter which platform it can be made on. The developers analyze the idea, its characteristics and if it is possible to adapt it for mobile platforms. The next step is to build the mobile game through various stages of planning, production, testing, and launch. It is also important to perform other steps such as the storytelling, settings and characters, production, realization and monetization.

    Reply

  213. Findings at the outset and those at the end of the first year were significantly different p 0 how to buy priligy in usa Pathology of all four cases shows striking similarity; all tumors are hormone positive, low intermediate grade, having an extensive intraductal component, and all tumors have near identical morphology

    Reply

  216. гадание на картах таро на ситуацию три карты магические силы растений книга знак
    зодиака близнецы символ картинка
    18 февраля день чего, 18 февраля праздник церковный приметы чешется пятка правая

    Reply

  243. Tubing mascaras are great if you’re looking for a smudge-free option, but Maggiore has tips for wearing a standard formula. “One of my secrets is locking in the mascara with clear brown gel,” she says. “It will help keep the curl as well as set the mascara. I also use clear brow gel as mascara if I’m going for a more natural look—it’s like a mini lash lift.” It’s the most buildable. This mascara has a pliant, flexible formula that covers every lash. One coat is enough for some people. But if you keep going with two or three, you get even more fullness and length, with no clumps, tangles, or the unfortunate spider-effect of over-mascaraed lashes. Even more impressive, no one on our testing panel experienced the transfer that’s common with other thickening mascaras we tested, such as Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, which left smudges under our eyebrows.
    https://touch-wiki.win/index.php?title=Inlei_lash_lift
    The very best bronzers for a sun-kissed glow For our review of the best false lashes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors—who all have different eye shapes, style preferences, and experience with false lashes. Testers considered factors including material and reusability when picking false lashes that best fit their needs. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page. This was a bit confusing to me when my favorite eyelash extension brand London Lash Pro changed their packaging from plastic to carton and at the same time, without notifying their clients, switched the finish of the silk and mink, which means that their silk lashes are less shiny than their mink lashes. They are silk lashes still pretty shiny, which is why they sell a matte finish

    Reply

  262. I will right away seize your rss as I can’t in finding your email subscription hyperlink
    or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let
    me recognize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

    Reply

  291. исатай басшы мен қосшы эссе жазу,
    махамбет өтемісұлы өлеңдері исатай бүйрек тас ауруы, бүйрек тас
    ауруы ауру тарихы курс доллара май 2022, курс рубля к тенге май 2022 доллар будет расти
    в казахстане, что будет с долларом в ближайшее время в казахстане

    Reply

  297. тыныс белгілерінің ойды жеткізудегі рөлі қандай,
    тыныс белгілерінің ерекшелеуші қызметі деген не математика 3 класс
    казахстан ответы, математика 3 класс учебник 3
    часть биохимический анализ крови цена шымкент, амг
    анализ цена шымкент и әрпі бар сөздер, и әріпінен басталатын сөздер 5 әріп

    Reply

  299. қараша айында махаббат заклинаниясы үйде оқыту қмж 8
    сынып, үйде оқыту қмж 9 сынып мега парк алматы кинотеатр, мега на розыбакиева кинотеатр casio, casio tank price

    Reply

  302. глобус жердің, глобус сызықтарының атауы 264 бұйрық 24 маусым 2020 жыл, қр
    дсм 264 бұйрығы как настроить каналы на смарт тв самсунг, как настроить каналы на телевизоре самсунг 7 серии кайрат нуртас – туган кунинмен мама, кайрат нуртас 2010 все песни

    Reply

  303. Get a welcome bonus of 60,000 FREE chips just for downloading! Plus, win a daily bonus of up to $45,000,000 in chips! The World’s Leading Poker Game! 2024 POKERNEWS DAILY DEEPSTACK RESULTS Mayor’s Poker Tournament Sharing and downloading on Cults3D guarantees that designs remain in makers community hands! And not in the hands of the 3D printing or software giants who own the competing platforms and exploit the designs for their own commercial interests. Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world’s most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah’s® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. For more information, please visit caesars.
    https://internationallogisticsbusinesspanama.com/can-someone-else-claim-my-casino-winnings
    The Sloto Cash casino online bonus code coupons are automatically delivered to your casino account. All you need to do is open your SlotoCash account, sign in and go looking for the most current, most rewarding SlotoCash no deposit bonus for existing players. Bonuses are the heart and soul of the online casino. Land-based casinos don’t often offer bonuses that translate into real cash – their bonuses are generally connected to the casino and allocated as free meals or discounts on hotel accommodations. The player from Ireland had issues with Sloto Cash Casino. After successful verification and prior withdrawals, the casino had locked the player’s account and confiscated their winnings of approximately $9000 due to failed security checks. The player denied any wrongdoing and stated that he had provided all requested documents. The casino claimed that the player failed to provide additional requested documents, but did not specify what these were. We asked the casino to provide evidence, but they failed to do so. Despite our efforts to mediate the situation, the casino’s lack of cooperation led us to mark the complaint as ‘unresolved’.

    Reply

  329. исходящие звонки не работают, актив не работает интернет первая конституция рк
    1993, конституция рк 1995 детка тоқта, 5000 – ирина кайратовна домбыра скачать к чему снится поезд без
    рельс, сон ехать в поезде с сестрой

    Reply

  385. фундаментальный анализ акций обучение,
    фундаментальный анализ трейдинг отбасы банк отзывы,
    отбасы банк ипотека 50/50 8 сынып информатика for
    циклі, for циклі дегеніміз не
    қасқыр энергияны қайдан алады, жануарлар энергияны қайдан алады эссе

    Reply

  460. While Casimba’s content aggregation service hosts over 6,000 titles from more than 75 suppliers, the firm also offers a range of B2B and B2C tech solutions, aiming to provide ‘real-time optimisation and actionable insight’ alongside aggregated content. Among the SwinttGames set to be available via Casimba Gaming, the two previously mentioned releases, Electric Elements and Aloha Spirit XtraLock, are certain to get top billing. The former is an action-packed cluster pays slot with four elementally-charged bonus features while the latter remains Swintt’s most successful title to date; and both are already highly popular entries in Casimba Gaming’s core markets. Renowned iGaming content provider BGaming has forged a collaboration with Casimba Gaming, an emerging player in the industry, to enrich the online game offerings of the newly-formed entity.
    https://jszst.com.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=4203112
    Play Poker for a Chance to Win a Share of $100,000 in Cash & Prizes Each Month* PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PokerStars entire platform is safe and secure. Not only can you trust that your payments are protected, but also that all of our responsible gaming tools are easily available to you. We have 24 7 customer support to help you with any concerns or issues. Are there any apps available on Android on which you can play real money Poker? 😀 Once the download has finished, you must agree to PokerStars ‘General Terms’ before continuing. To launch PokerStars, just double click on the desktop icon or navigate to our software through your PC’s Start menu once it’s finished installing. To sign up for a new account, open the app and select ‘Sign In’, followed by the ‘Don’t have a Stars Account? Sign Up’ option. There are five simple steps to create your Stars Account. You will need to enter a valid email address, and create anusername. When you have agreed to our End User License Agreement press ‘Finish’.

    Reply

  469. жайлау этно кафе, жайлау кафе управление сельского хозяйства
    ско, управление сельского
    хозяйства зко автоперевозка по казахстану, пассажирские перевозки по казахстану 1917
    жылы желтоқсанда 2 жалпықазақ съезі
    өткен қала, 1917 жылы 26-29 қарашада

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

How Relevant Are Young African Writers?

Next Story

Theatre: Black Britain’s Mental Health and Don Kinch’s ‘Coming Up For Air

Latest from Blog

0

  From Asa to A. Phillip:  Nothing But a ‘Sigma’ Man by Mark Anthony Neal   With thanks to NewBlackMan (in Exile)

A virgin’s quest

A Short Story by Bunmi Fatoye-Matory Friday, June 28, 2024.   Somewhere in Rọ́lákẹ́’s childhood, she learned about Mercedes Benz, but not